Newsletter

Cook-off, cornhole and music highlight Royce fundraiser in Savannah

If anyone went to Royce Learning Center’s inaugural Bringin’ It Back Home fundraiser last year and wondered if it could get any better, the answer is yes.

The live music, good eats and games will be back May 11, but this year’s family friendly event comes with a barbecue cook-off that organizers hope will draw a hungry crowd.

“We’re looking for men and women who think they have their own best barbecue in their backyards,” said Maggie Keenan, development coordinator at Royce. “We’re saying to them, ‘Bring it on.’”

Organizers are shooting for six teams to show off their meat mastery. Victors don’t just get bragging rights, either. The day’s top barbecue chicken, beef and pork cooks will go home with $200 in prizes.

Also bringing home the green will be the winning teams of the event’s cornhole tournament coordinated by Savannah Cornhole owner Sandy Edwards. The first-place beanbag chuckers walk away with a $600 prize, and the second- and third-place winners get $300 and $100, respectively.

“It’s going to be some kind of serious, now,” Keenan said. “These cornhole tournaments — people get serious.”

The big winner of the day will be the lucky attendee whose $1 raffle ticket is drawn for a $1,000 prize.

For Royce, a southside educational facility that helps children and adults with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders and literacy needs, fundraisers like Saturday’s event are important.

“The way we thrive is through fundraising efforts, private donations and special events,” Keenan said.

IF YOU GO

What: Royce Learning Center’s Bringin’ It Back Home barbecue and cook-off fundraiser

When: 4-7 p.m. May 11

Where: The gazebo at Royce, 4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.

Features: Amateur barbecue competition, cornhole tournament, line dancing, kid-friendly activities and live music by the Accomplices and City Hotel Band and 106.9

Cost: General admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 12-18 and free for children younger than 12. Barbecue team registration is $35, and pre-registration is required in advance of the event.

To get tickets, go to www.roycebbqcookoff.eventbrite.com or stop by Royce from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 10.